AN outbreak of bird flu has been confirmed in South Warrington.
As a result, Warrington residents who keep poultry or other captive birds are being urged to take immediate action.
The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has identified the presence of the avian flu in a releasing pen of approximately 750 pheasants.
When a new infected premises has been confirmed, APHA is required to carry out surveillance activities, to limit the spread of the disease as much as possible and minimise the amount of time premises are kept under restrictions in the local area.
APHA has now put in place a 10km surveillance zone around the infected premises.
All people who keep birds – including pet birds and commercial flocks – within the surveillance zone are being urged to contact APHA and register their birds as soon as possible.
Identifying bird keepers in this area will enable APHA to carry out a visit so essential surveillance activities can take place. This will help ensure the birds people keep are protected and normal conditions can be returned to as soon as possible.
You can find out if you fall within the 10km surveillance zone by using the APHA Interactive Avian Influenza Map
The government has published rules and forms to register birds
For more information on avian influenza, visit gov.uk/birdflu
*Avian flu is primarily a disease affecting birds and the Government says the risk to human health is low.
